Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Madrid and other Spanish cities demanding measures to tackle the deepening housing crisis after the opposition in parliament rejected government legislation.
Protesters on Saturday carried banners calling for a general strike after measures drawn up in response to the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid and other housing issues were rejected in parliament on Friday. Authorities said 70.000 people took part in the protest, while organizers said the number could reach 500.000.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez may call early elections for November after the laws are rejected, Spanish media reported on Friday, noting that he will closely monitor the turnout at Saturday's rallies before making a decision.
The demonstrations have become a major topic in the country, giving new impetus to Sanchez's cabinet and taking the focus away from the recent developments in Ceuta.
Saturday's rallies were peaceful in about 50 Spanish cities. Only in the southeastern city of Valencia did clashes occur between some demonstrators and police, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the rally. About 30 people managed to enter the building of the City of Arts and Sciences, a famous cultural facility in Valencia, before police forces took them outside.
Librarian Marcos Sainz, 26, from Madrid, told AFP that he used to share a two-room apartment with friends for 900 euros a month, but now a one-room apartment costs up to 1.000 euros, half the average monthly salary in the capital. He said he would protest until someone dared to introduce regulations, otherwise people would have to move out of Madrid. Solar panel installer Javier, 31, added that they were demanding the basic right to a decent home, stability and decent living conditions, saying he was spending half his salary on a small room.
Valeria Raku, one of the spokeswomen for the Tenants' Union that organized the protest, said in a statement that there is a new energy on the streets that has not been seen for a long time and that eight days of citizen power can achieve more than eight years of progressive government. She added that now begins the real politics, which has always belonged to the citizens and is finally returning to the streets.
